Newcastle United have been put in an unenviable position by Alexander Isak and his desire to leave St James’ Park.
While the Newcastle United squad are back from their trip to Asia, they are yet to be reunited with Alexander Isak.
That is because Isak is training alone at Newcastle, as Eddie Howe lays down the law.
The Sweden international is determined to leave St James’ Park, but that will only happen if a suitable offer comes in and a replacement is acquired.
Newcastle wanted Benjamin Sesko to be Isak’s replacement, but he has chosen Manchester United over the Magpies.
Alexander Isak gestures during Newcastle United's Premier League game against Everton.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
What Alexander Isak has decided about his Newcastle United career
With Sesko no longer an option for Newcastle United, it is unclear who Howe will turn to next. If anything, the Sesko situation increases the likelihood of Isak staying on Tyneside.
However, according to the Athletic’s David Ornstein on YouTube, the 25-year-old is of the belief that his Newcastle United career is over.
“Isak and his representatives have made it clear to Newcastle for some time that their plan is to leave,” he said.
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“I think the Newcastle chapter is closed for Isak, from what we are hearing.”
Whether Newcastle United could replace Alexander Isak with Ollie Watkins
In terms of replacing Isak, Newcastle are looking at Ollie Watkins. He is one option that the Magpies are considering, as well as Nicolas Jackson.
But while Jackson can leave Chelsea, the situation is very different for Watkins at Aston Villa.
That is according to Ornstein, who is adamant that Unai Emery’s side will not be selling their star striker.
“Ollie Watkins has been floated,” he said.
“But we have got to be quite clear on that. Aston Villa say he is not for sale, he is not going anywhere, this conversation should not even be happening because Ollie Watkins is our striker and he is staying.”
It is an emphatic stance from Aston Villa. In fact, it is almost identical to what Newcastle United have been saying about Isak for the past six months.
However, the difference is that Watkins is not pushing to leave Villa Park. In contrast, Isak appears to be making it clear he wants to be anywhere but St James’ Park.
Isak will only get his wish if Newcastle find a replacement, but this update from Ornstein suggests it probably will not be Watkins.